Africa-Press – Liberia. The Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INHCR) has revealed its findings and recommendations on the status of Liberia’s human rights — highlighting several rights violations, with specific references to rape and gender-based violence cases.
Reading the report over the weekend, INCHR’s chairperson, Cllr. Dempster Brown, called on the government to ensure that rape and gender-based violence cases are legally disposed of in a timely fashion to safeguard justice for both victims and perpetrators. Brown noted that the swift adjudication of cases of rape and abuse will help to lower the chances of compromising said cases.
“The government should ensure the logistical, infrastructural, and manpower development of the justice system which will enhance the capacity to speedily respond to cases and adjudication or trial of cases in courts and provide the required correction and rehabilitation of convicts,” Brown noted.
The report, which covered the period from January to December 2023, recommended that there should be a speedy trial for all pre-trial detention at almost all 16 prison facilities across the country.
“The government should also make sure that the Independent National Commission on Human Rights is visible in all 15 counties to ensure monitoring and reporting on the activities of duty-bearers,” the report added.
“Ensure that judicial officials, defense counsels, and prosecutors assigned to the courts are always present to work with parole and probation officers and ensure that appropriate administrative measures are taken against personnel who are absent from their duty stations without leave,” the report maintained.
The INHRC says it is appalling that despite the government’s ratification of 8 out of the 9 core International Human Rights treaties including regional human rights instruments such as the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, Liberia’s human rights records have not improved.
According to Brown, since 2010, INCHR has deployed monitors in all of the fifteen political subdivisions of the country to monitor human rights issues in diverse thematic areas including rights that are related to civil and political rights — right to life, right to legal counsel, access to justice, freedom of association, assembly, and movement as well as children, and persons with disability.
Key among which he said, is the minority group, such as LGTIQ persons, and also socio-economic rights such as the right to health, education, etc.
Brown disclosed that for the first time, INCHR monitors are tracking issues concerning children’s rights in the country, and have created a theme in the report format that captures children’s issues.
State Security Brutality, Prolonged Detention
The report said state security brutality, in some cases, results in either death or death in custody, severe bodily injuries, and mysterious and ritually motivated deaths.
The report disclosed that prolonged pretrial detention of juveniles in prison facilities is contrary to the statute and international human rights standards of which Liberia is a member.
Rape and Gender-Based Violence
According to the report, rape and gender-based violence, incidents remain prevalent, especially cases involving minors as victims, including violence against women.
“Compromises of rape cases and other sexually violent related cases are on the increase,” the report disclosed.
Delay in Implementing the Rule of Law
The report emphasized that delays by the rule of law institutions and cases settled or attempted to be settled out of court were observed especially, to be the failure of the government of Liberia, to make autonomous prisons to develop the parole and probation boards, to fast-track cases and to reduce prolonged pretrial detention.
“The prolonged detention is due to poor record-keeping in prison and police stations, coupled with the fact that recording keeping is done, manually,” the report noted.
Corruption in the Criminal Justice System
The report said corruption in criminal justice has hindered the realization of justice and the most affected are the vulnerable persons detained because they cannot afford exuberant bail requirements given their social status.
The report named the lack of legal counsel for poor and rural people who come in conflict with the law as an issue of great concern.
The report said harmful practices including trials by ordeal, ritual killings, mysterious deaths, forceful initiations, and female genital mutilation (FGM) or circumcision continue to be practiced almost with impunity across the country.
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